Letter-box



(No Model.)

' E. FRANKE-- LETTER BOX.

@2M wffm' CQM/ l we ATT IVEY.

UNrrnD STATES PATENT OFFICES:

ERNST FRANKE, 0F PATERSON, NEV JERSEY.

LETTER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 454,127', dated June 16, 1891.

Application filed August 20, 1890. Serial Noi 362,527. (No model.)

To all whom. it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNST FRANKE, a citiin the county of Passaic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Letter-Boxes, of which the :following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved letter-box that is intended to be used for private residences, tenement-houses, factories, and other buildings, either inside or outside, as is most convenient. The letter-box can be conveniently emptied of its contents and is protected in an effective manner against the influence of rain, while it can be manufactured in cast metal or pressed out of plastic material, so that it can be furnished at a comparatively low price.

The invention consists of a letter-box that is provided with an upper contracted portion having an inclined upper end and a sliding lid guided on ways of the upper end. The lower part of the letterbox is enlarged and provided with circular heads connected by a suitable arc-shaped portion, a pivoted gate for closing the bottom opening of the box being mounted on said heads.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a front elevation of my improved letter-box. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, and Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, of the same on theline 3 3, Fig. 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, A represents the body of my improved letter-box, which is made with a slightly-contracted upper part, and an open ing M at the upper end of sufticient width to permit the insertion of the letters into the box. The upper part of the body A is arranged at an incline and provided at both ends with laterally-projecting flanges @,which form ways for a sliding lid B, the grooved ends b of which are guided on flanges a. The lid B is provided with an upwardly-projecting iiange or ledge b', by which the vsame may be. taken hold of and moved in upward direction, so as to clear the opening of the body A and permit the insertion of the letters into the box. The lid can be moved on ways at the upper part of the body until its rear edge abuts zen of the United States, residing at Paterson,

against the wall to which the letter-box is attached.

The lower part ot' the letter-box is made in cylindrical shape, it being of larger size than the upper part or throat of the box. The lower part is formed of two circular extensions Af., that are made integral with the body A and connected by a transverse aro-shaped portion A2, that extends from the lower edge of the rear wall of the body along the circular sides toward the front of the box, leaving an opening of sufficient size to permit the removal ot' the letters from the body of the box A.

The bodyAand circular extensions A and the transverse arc-shaped portion A2 are preferably cast in one piece of metal. The circular extensions A are provided with central openings that serve as bearings for the pivots or gudgeons of an axially-turning gate C, which is formed of two heads C having fixed knobs U2 and an arc-shaped transverse connecting portion C3, which serves to close the front opening of the body A, when the gate is turned up, by taking hold of one of its knobs; but it gives access to the lower part of the letter-box when it is turned back over the segmental lower part A2 of the body A until it abuts against the shoulder of a rear wall, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The gate with its heads is preferably made in one piece, to which the knobs are attached by means of screws or otherfastenings. The middle part of the gate is provided with a glass window f, through which it can be readily observed whether there are letters in the box or not.

A lock (not shown) is to be attached to the front ledge of the box above the gate, so as to lock the same in position or permit the releasing of the same for opening it when it is desired to remove the mail from the letter-box.

The rear wall of the letter-box is provided with slotted openings m for attaching the letter-box, by means of headed screws, to the wall of the building.

The advantages of my improved letter-box are that the same is composed only of four main parts, the body, the gate with its head, the knobs, and the sliding top lid, all of which can be made cheaply of cast metal or plastic material, so as to form a strong and durable letter-box which is protected against the roo' Weather' and from which the letters can be readily removed Whenever desired, the gate being opened or closed with great facility.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. A letter-box formed of a body having an opening at the front part, an inclined opening at t-he top part, a lid guided on the inclined ways of the front upper part, and au axiallyturning gate adapted to close the lower front opening of the box, substantially as set forth.

2. A letter-box formed of abody having an opening at its upper part, and inclined ways at both sides of said opening, a lid guided on said :inclined ways, an axially-turning gate applied to circular bottom extensions of the body and pivoted thereto, and knobs attached to the heads of the gate, substantially as set forth.

3. A letter-box formed of a body made of gradually-diininishing shape and provided with a top opening and inclined Ways at both sides of said opening, a top lid guided on said inclined Ways, circular extensions at the lower part of the body, said extensions being provided With central openings, a transverse segmental piece connecting said circular extensions, and a gate formed of a segmental portion and of heads provided with knobs, said gate being pivoted to said circular extensions, so as to turn axially on the same for opening or closing the lower part of the box, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribingWitnesses.

' ERNST FRANKE.

Vv'itnesses:

'PAUL GOEPEL, MARTIN PETRY. 

